Skip to content
Kia RondoModel year report

2008 Kia Rondo Problems

Complaints
97filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
69,500miles, 84 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
22 mpgcombined, 2.4L 4-cyl FWD · 19 city / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Kia Rondo (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe fueling-related starting and stalling trouble, along with an air bag warning light that stays on. Reports cluster from roughly 60,000 to 130,000 miles; some problems appear gradually (hard starting after fill-ups) while others, like suddenly dead rear doors or a broken coil spring, show up without much warning.

  1. Air bags

    Air bag warning light stays on

    • 17 complaints (18%)
    • median 75,000 mi at 7.1 yrs old (15 state mileage)
    • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2009–2019

    Owners report the air bag light or passenger air bag indicator staying lit, sometimes with the seat belt warning chiming with nobody in the seat. Dealers have diagnosed a seat-track sensor, a module under the dash, or the clock spring, and in several cases owners were told diagnosis was not covered. Some complaints describe air bags not deploying in a crash, though others involve deployments that did not occur as expected. Reported from very low mileage up past 150,000 miles, with many examples between 50,000 and 90,000 miles.

    Recall 12V014000

    What to check: Ask whether the driver-side air bag clock spring recall (12V014000) was completed; confirm the air bag light goes out after the bulb-check on startup and that the passenger seat belt reminder stays quiet when empty.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I was broadsided on the passenger side at a busy intersection. The air bag cover on the passenger side popped off and hit me (the driver) in the head. The air bags on the front and back passenger's side fell out but did not deploy. The driver's side did not deploy at all. The air bags were less than worthless, they were a dangerous flying object.”

    NHTSA complaint #10509939, filed 2013-04, 75,000 miles

    “While driving my car the air bag light came on and the passenger side of the car where the other air bag light car flashing. I took the car into the dealer and was told that the airbag censor in the seat track needed to be replaced. Due to this problem none of my air bags work. I am concerned since they have had one recall on their airbags that this is something that should further be checked into.”

    NHTSA complaint #10496394, filed 2013-02, 65,464 miles
  2. Fuel system

    Hard starting or stalling after refueling

    • 17 complaints (18%)
    • median 81,000 mi at 4.2 yrs old (12 state mileage)
    • filed 2011–2020

    Owners describe the car needing two or three attempts to start after filling the tank, sometimes hearing a hollow sucking or gurgling sound and seeing the check engine light. Several report the engine hesitating or shutting off while driving, and in some cases the vehicle restarted only after the fuel tank was struck. Complaints mention fuel pump diagnosis or replacement, and some owners say the dealer declined to treat the problem as a recall repair on their engine. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 130,000 miles, often right after refueling and sometimes while driving at ordinary road speeds.

    Recall 08V459000

    What to check: Ask whether the fuel pump recall (08V459000) was performed and on which engine; test-start the car right after a fill-up and watch for hesitation or a check engine light.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My check engine light is on. When I refuel my vehicle it has difficulty restarting. Over the course of the last couple months, it has started to stall. Looking at forums I found quite a few people with the same issue but no solutions. I have had my vehicle on a diagnostic machine and it comes back with an evap code. The codes have been cleared but come right back on. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11269343, filed 2019-10, 229,000 miles

    “It takes 2 or 3 attempts to start my car after getting gas. Recently, after getting gas, the car stalled while I was driving on a busy main road going approx 40mph. Today, the car stalled 2x while driving. Everything turned off, had to use the emergency brake to stop the car.”

    NHTSA complaint #10677012, filed 2015-01, 100,000 miles
  3. Suspension

    Broken front coil springs

    Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

    Complaints describe a clunking or abnormal noise from the front, and on inspection a front coil spring is found broken, sometimes with the broken end sitting close to the tire. Owners mention rust on the broken ends, replacing one side and then the other, and paying out of pocket. Several note they had no warning before the spring was found broken during a tire or inspection visit. Mostly reported between about 55,000 and 115,000 miles, often found during tire service or state inspection, in some cases in cold-weather states.

    What to check: Have a mechanic inspect both front springs for cracks or rust at the ends during a pre-purchase inspection, and listen for clunks over bumps on a test drive.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Last week went in to get new tires and mechanic brought to me 2 large pieces of both my front coil springs. They had broken off but luckily not in a way that would puncture the tires. Both showed rust on the end of the springs which leads me to believe it was a failure of the metal. They will cost me $500.00+ to replace. This weekend hyundai, also made in south korea, announced a recall of their vehicles due to faulty front coil springs, especially in cold weather states, which we are. . …”

    NHTSA complaint #10618715, filed 2014-08, 111,000 miles

    “I took my 2008 Kia Rondo for the annual wv state inspection today. The service technician told me that I have a broken front passenger side coil spring. He said that this could be dangerous if the spring should pop out of it's normal position. He said that the end of the spring could rupture the tire and cause a bad accident. I didn't notice any handling or noises that alerted me to this condition, so I don't know when it might have broken. I do not see any Kia recalls for this condition. The vehicle has 112,500 miles on it.”

    NHTSA complaint #11210387, filed 2019-05, 112,500 miles
  4. Fuel system

    Fuel tank leak or seepage

    • 11 complaints (11%)
    • median 115,543 mi at 7.7 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2011–2020

    Owners describe a strong gasoline smell, sometimes in a garage, and finding fuel leaking or seeping from the tank area, with rust noted near the seam or above a tank support. Some say the tank was quoted for replacement at significant cost and the dealer declined to cover it. A few directly link the smell and leak to rough running or a stall. Reported from about 100,000 to 150,000 miles, often noticed after sitting overnight or after fueling.

    Recall 08V459000

    What to check: Look under the rear of the car for damp or rusted tank seams and supports, and check for a fuel smell after the car sits; ask whether the tank has ever been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Went to get rear tires put on my car and the mechanic noticed the fuel tank was leaking above the support on the drivers side. To replace the fuel tank is over 900 dollars, according to the dealer. I know this is a problem in the same area for rondos because a Kia mechanic told me that he just had one in that had a leak in the same exact area. Have not had it fixed yet due to the expense, even though its a safety risk.”

    NHTSA complaint #10680822, filed 2015-02, 102,000 miles

    “My vehicle reves up high when I start it and when I'm on the highway it would just cut off and there's gas fumes I smellinside my Kia, it also hesitates while driving.”

    NHTSA complaint #11383788, filed 2020-12, 187,025 miles

Buying note. Check fuel-system and air bag recall status by VIN before buying, test the car right after a fill-up, and have the front springs and fuel tank inspected. With this age and typical mileage, a pre-purchase inspection that includes the underbody is worth the cost.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 97 consumer complaints for the 2008 Kia Rondo. 84 of the complaints include a mileage, and 26% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 69,500 miles. Of all complaints, 14 involved a crash, 11 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 19 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (6), Engine cooling (5), Equipment (4), Exterior lighting (4), Wheels (3), Electronic stability control (2), Latches, locks and linkages (2), Tires (2), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2).

Example complaints

Fuel system: “In 2010, check engine light came on. The vehicle would not restart after refueling. I would have to pump the gas before the car would restart and it would make sounds and the RPM will rev. I had a diagnosis performed by several mechanics but unable to detect what was causing the problem. Had guesstimates as to o2 sensors, fuel pump to canisters replacement. This has gone on since 2010. Currently, the car does not turn over on the first attempt after fueling. I took car in to the dealership and was told that I needed to replace the fuel pump assembly. …”

NHTSA complaint #10493209, filed 2013-01, 60,000 miles

Air bags: “Takata recall. I don't know enough about vehicle airbags to know if my problem is part of the takata recall. However, I've learned that Kia did issue a recall for an airbag problem with the Rondo (# sc094). Unaware of this recall, I brought my Kia to the Kia dealer when my airbag light illuminated. It's possible that the date was prior to the Kia recall. The Kia dealer told me that I must pay out of pocket for any investigation of the cause of the airbag light illuminating due to the expiration of the 60,000 mile warranty on the vehicle. To this day, the airbag light is still illuminated. …”

NHTSA complaint #10811231, filed 2015-12, 62,000 miles

Engine: “I was at a red light and the car was started, the vehicle began to jerk violently with the illumination of the check engine warning light. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection or repairs. I did mention this issue when I had the next oil change and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure to my knowledge. No offer or any assistance was referred by the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the mileage at the time was about 70,000. …”

NHTSA complaint #10493225, filed 2013-01, 70,000 miles

Body and structure: “Kia; there is a strong concern about the door latch release inside the doors that is made of plastic and I think could be changed to a pull system to open the doors, I have 2 of them that have not worked since last july 2012 and I had one that the child lock was on and you could not open the door from either side and if the person had to get out because of a fire or flooding you could not get out. I now have to roll down the window to open the door or reach through the front doors to open them. …”

NHTSA complaint #10610149, filed 2014-07, 95,423 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

26% of the 84 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 45,811 and 100,000 miles.

7%0–105%10–2514%25–5027%50–7520%75–10019%100–1507%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (84 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 69,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’09’11’1313’15’17’19’23
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Kia Rondo. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Rondo · sedan FWDnot rated5 / 5———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2008 Kia Rondo version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Rondo FWD2.4L 4-cyl4-speed automatic192622$3,050
Rondo FWD2.7L 6-cyl5-speed automatic182621$3,200

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2008 Kia Rondo → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 19 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 19 bulletins →

Other model years of the Kia Rondo

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2010985,4502—22—Not enough data
20097284,0002—22Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
20089769,5003—22Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
200711768,7503—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Kia Rondo model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Kia Rondo?

Owners of this model year most often describe fueling-related starting and stalling trouble, along with an air bag warning light that stays on. The issues reported most often: Air bag warning light stays on; Hard starting or stalling after refueling; Broken front coil springs.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Kia Rondo have?

NHTSA recorded 97 consumer complaints for the 2008 Kia Rondo as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2008 Kia Rondo is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 22 complaints (23% of the total), followed by air bags with 18.

Has the 2008 Kia Rondo been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Kia Rondo get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Kia Rondo (Rondo, 2.4L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 19 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Kia Rondo reported?

Among the 84 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 69,500 miles and the middle half falls between 45,811 and 100,000 miles; 26% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.